My nickname is "manxman" but I'm not really a manx national. I wasn't born on the Isle of Man but lived on the island full time for over 20 years. I live in Switzerland now but get back to the island 3 to 4 times a year.

The island has a population of about 75000 and has it's own government, laws and currency. Though predominantly a celtic nation, there has been a good deal of scandinavian influence during the course of history, the vikings having founded the forerunner of the current parliament "Tynwald".

There's a great site full of photos of the island which is run by a guy who is a flight controller at the island's airport. http://www.island-images.co.uk

Why not take a look. I'd be glad to answer any questions if anyone is interested.

I had no idea. That's some of the most amazing scenery I've ever seen.

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Caw

"I am a Canadian by birth, but I am a Highlander by blood and feel under an obligation to do all I can for the sake of the Highlanders and their literature.... I have never yet spoken a word of English to any of my children. They can speak as much English as they like to others, but when they talk to me they have to talk in Gaelic."

Some men are drawn to oceans, they cannot breathe unless the air is scented with a salty mist. Others are drawn to land that is flat, and the air is sullen and is leaden as August. My people were drawn to mountains- Earl Hamner Jr.

Truly the Isle of Man is the hidden jewel of the British Isles. I have never even seen one photo of the Isle of Man before----I was taken away with such unspoiled beauty. Thanks for sharing the site Manxman.

Best regards,Roisin

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Roisin-Teagan

"There, in that hand, on that shoulder under that chin---all of its lightness delicately balanced and its strings skillfully bowed---it becomes a voice."---Rich Mullins

"At 18, if you have oversized aspirations, the whole world sees you as a dreamer. At 40, you get the reputation for being a visionary." ---Rich Mullins

"God gives the gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them."---C.S. Lewis

Thank you all for your enthusiasm for the isle of man. I'm not a real manxman, I'm English by birth, but I think you'll understand why I'm also captivated with the island. I live in Switzerland now, which is also a beautiful country, but my heart remains on the isle of man.

It is often said by the manx that just one visit to the island will infect you. You can travel the world thereafter but you will always return, time and time again.

Hello all,Its quiet here... I was checking to see what is in this topic because my dad has found that one of our ancestors was from the Isle of Man. I do not know much about the place; saw it from a distance during a visit to Ireland once upon a time, and had I known I had ties to the island I might've stopped by. Oh well! Reason enough for another visit, isn't it??

Thanks for the links, now to go check them out...

SB

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"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost;The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring;Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king..."

I've just gotten over here to look at these now. What an incredible collection! The light loves you, manxman, the light is most definitely your friend. I collect images of the celtic islands from all over the web, and I've never seen anything more luminous than these pictures.

They filmed that movie "Shergar," about the thoroughbred that was kidnapped by the IRA, on the Isle of Man. Of course they made out it was Ireland, but I can see those landscapes here in your images.